US Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican voice on foreign policy and one of President Donald Trump's closest congressional allies, died on Saturday at the age of 71 following what his office described as a brief and sudden illness.
Graham's office announced the death early Sunday via social media, requesting prayers and privacy for the family. The statement did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the Saturday night passing of the influential South Carolina Republican.
Medical Examiner Identifies Likely Cause
Hours after the initial announcement, a second statement from Graham's office relayed preliminary findings from the District of Columbia Medical Examiner. The senator likely died of an aortic dissection resulting from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease — a rupture of the body's main artery caused by hardening of the arteries.
Trump, who spoke with Graham frequently, described the late senator as being "like a member of the family" during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." The president revealed that Graham had called him Saturday night after returning from a trip to Ukraine and "sounded a little bit tired, but perfect." Trump ordered flags across the United States to fly at half-staff until Saturday evening.
Three Decades in Congress
Graham served in Congress for three decades, first in the House of Representatives before winning his Senate seat in 2002. A former Air Force lawyer, he was seeking a fifth Senate term in November's election, having secured 57% of the GOP vote in South Carolina's June primary. His November ballot included Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, along with several minor party and independent candidates.
As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Graham played a pivotal role during Trump's second term, helping Republicans advance major legislation on party-line votes with a narrow 53-47 majority. He previously chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee during the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in 2020 and was positioned to reclaim that gavel if Republicans maintained their majority after midterm elections.
From Bitter Rival to Trump Loyalist
Graham's relationship with Trump began contentiously. During the 2016 presidential race, in which Graham briefly competed for the Republican nomination, he called the then-businessman "unfit for office" and used profanity to describe him after Trump made disparaging remarks about Senator John McCain, Graham's closest friend in the chamber. Trump publicly read Graham's personal cellphone number at a South Carolina rally and continued to belittle him throughout the campaign.
The dynamic shifted dramatically once Trump captured the White House. Graham became one of the president's most visible allies, maintaining frequent contact and becoming a regular golf partner. In a 2018 interview with The Associated Press, Graham explained that McCain had taught him the country must move forward after elections, creating an obligation to help the president succeed. He noted that being helpful made him a more credible critic.
Graham served as a prominent defender during both of Trump's first-term impeachments — a notable reversal from his role as a House prosecutor during Bill Clinton's 1998 impeachment, when he urged senators to hear all arguments before deciding. Both presidents were ultimately acquitted.
After the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, Graham appeared to distance himself from Trump, declaring on the Senate floor: "Count me out. Enough is enough." However, he soon rejoined the president's orbit, and the two remained close throughout Trump's second term.